Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Sign-in Sheets.
One common task in Word (particularly for those in charge of seminars or other public events) is to create sign-in sheets. You know the type of document I am talking about—one in which the sheet is full of horizontal lines where people write their name, address, and other information. (Exactly why are you at today's lecture, Ms. Jones? Hmmm?)
There are any number of ways you can create the horizontal lines in Word. One way is that you can type three dashes, press Enter a couple of times, type three more dashes, press Enter a couple of times, and keep doing this until you reach the end of the page. You can also use the table feature of Word to create a table for the information people will enter, and then just add a bottom border to the cells people will fill in.
The problem is that these approaches (and ones like them) can get very tedious over time. The quickest (and least tedious) approach I have found is to create a Word style for your sign-in lines. This style should rely on a creatively applied assortment of tabs to design the horizontal lines. For instance, if you want to leave space for a name, address, and phone number, you need three horizontal lines with two blank areas between the three. You can create such a line using tabs. Simply set them as follows:
It would also be helpful for the paragraph to have the Space Before attribute (paragraph formatting) set to something like 18 points.
With the style defined, just make sure that your page margins are set to one inch on the left and right, and you are ready to go. Apply the style to a paragraph and all you need to do is press Tab five times for each row of underlines (five tabs, then Enter; five tabs, then Enter, etc.). I find this approach quick and easy, with professional-looking results every time.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (11515) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Sign-in Sheets.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 2013 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access) with VBA programming, using it for writing macros, automating Office applications, and creating custom applications. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2013 today!
Need to format the page numbers you added to your document? Word makes it easy, using the same techniques you use to ...
Discover MoreNeed to get the margins on your document exactly right? It can be a challenge to get the Word settings where you need ...
Discover MoreFonts, by default, come with one or more styles that define variations of how that font is displayed in your document. ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2016-04-18 06:19:00
JoAnn Paules
I just use a table. All borders on, table headers for name, date, cost center, and the name of the session in the page header. It's not fancy but it serves the intended purpose.
2016-04-18 05:34:58
Richard
I would follow Rod's example and save the result as a template, adding it to the Word Jump List on the taskbar. Then it's just a couple of clicks away. In a table, if more rows are required, just hold the Tab key down.
2016-04-16 14:06:28
Abdul Quadir
Thanks for this immensely useful tip!
2016-04-16 11:25:35
Rod Grealish
Another way is to create a table with the number of columns equal to the number of horizontal lines plus the number of gaps eg in the example above create a table of 5 columns. Set the 'gap' columns (columns 2 and 4) to .5 inches. Set the width of the other columns to the desired width. Adjust Cell Height to required height.
Select table and remove table borders using Borders and Shading. Add Bottom Borders to all rows. Select each 'gap' column and use Borders and Shading to remove Bottom Borders.
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2018 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: 
Comments